Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

Insights from It’s Your Outcome Career Coaching

Picture this: It’s your first day at a new job, and as you step into the office, you notice every workstation is set up with PCs. You’ve always been a Mac user, and while you know the basics, everything feels unfamiliar. The MAC shortcuts you’re used to don’t work on the PC, finding simple settings takes twice as long, and tasks that should be routine feel clunky and frustrating. Anxiety starts to creep in as you try to adapt, worried that you won’t be able to keep up. You know you’re capable, but in an environment that doesn’t match your strengths, even the simplest tasks feel like uphill battles.

This is what many neurodivergent employees experience in workplaces designed for “PCs”—or neurotypical ways of thinking. When the environment caters to one type of “operating system,” those who think or work differently face barriers that others might not see. It’s not about being unable to perform the job; it’s about navigating a system that wasn’t built with their unique needs in mind.

The emotional toll is significant: 79% of autistic adults report feeling socially isolated at work and 59% mask or camouflage their true selves to fit in, according to a survey by the National Autistic Society. Additionally, 60% of employees overall feel their mental health is negatively impacted by their work environment, with neurodivergent individuals especially vulnerable to stress and isolation, as reported by MIND, a mental health charity.

I’ve seen the difference firsthand. In my career, I’ve worked with neurodivergent career coaching clients who struggled to fit into rigid work environments, not because they lacked skills, but because their workplaces weren’t set up to let them thrive. When simple accommodations were made—like adjusting workspace layouts or rethinking communication methods—the change was profound. Employees who had once felt overlooked started to shine, bringing new ideas and insights that elevated the entire team.

So, how can we make this the standard for all workplaces?

That’s what I explore in this latest podcast episode, “Neurodiversity in the Workplace: The Dos and Don’ts.” I share practical strategies and insights to help create a workplace where all team members can succeed, including:

1. Simple adjustments to make your environment more neurodiverse-friendly.
2. Rethinking hiring practices to ensure you’re intentionally excluding top talent.
3. Real-life examples of companies that have embraced neurodiversity and seen transformative results.

HR leaders, this podcast is more than just an episode—it’s a resource for transforming your organization. It’s time to go beyond compliance and redefine what it means to be truly inclusive.

Click here to listen

And learn how understanding neurodiversity can unlock new potential in your team.

The time to act is now. Set the standard for inclusion and watch your workplace transform.